On the use of multivariate statistics to validate global climate models

The goal of the present research was to investigate the low frequency modes of variability in the observed atmosphere and compare those to the counterpart modes in a Global Climate Model (GCM). As a means to accomplish this, a multivariate statistical technique introduced for the first time to the atmospheric sciences, orthogonal Procrustes Target Analysis (PTA) was applied. A four dimensional analysis of the low frequency variability of observed geopotential height at 700 and 200hPa for the Northern Hemisphere in the National Meteorological Center's (NMC) final analysis data set for the winters and summers of 1970 to 1988 was investigated. This was compared to the low frequency variability in counterpart analyses using the European Center for Medium Range Weather Forecasting numerical model modified by the Max Planck Institut fur Meteorologie for global climate modeling. The model used, known as ECHAM2, specified observed values of sea-surface temperature and sea-ice extent for 1970 to 1988.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Atmospheric Sciences

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2011

Author dc:creator

• Richman, Michael B.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Lamb, Peter J.

• Geophysics
• Statistics
• Physics, Atmospheric Science

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 1994 Richman, Michael B.

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

AAI9512528
(UMI)AAI9512528

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/23329